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One in ten Australian Women suffer with Endometriosis – a condition where the lining of the uterus grows outside of the uterine wall. There are varying degrees of this condition, however the main symptom synonymous with every sufferer, is pain.

Our Endometriosis story, like so many out there, is a deeply personal one that has changed our lives. As a way of explanation, allow me firstly to introduce ourselves and ‘our’ story.

When I first started at Compton Green in March 2017, at my first sales meeting our Director announced that Samantha was taking a leave of absence from her role. I hadn’t a clue who she was or what her absence was related to, only that she had suffered a health affliction that required urgent attention.

Fast forward a few months & Sam came back to Compton Green, joining our crew of sales rookies and I finally got to put a face to the name. We instantly bonded over the trials of working mums, as well as navigating the new world of Real Estate Sales that we stumbled through together. Sam and I seemed to share the same demeanor of optimistic enthusiasm, as well as passion and commitment to our new post-stay-at-home-mum roles that was so terrifying for us both. A friendship developed that surpassed our work-wife status, and became cemented in our home lives too. Sam & I had many a late night at the office after Saturday opens gossiping over glasses of rose & sharing our life stories.

Sam told me the about her Endometriosis diagnosis and that her leave of absence earlier in the year was due to increased pain & suspected spread to her bladder.

She told me of her struggle before she had been diagnosed, that due to her crippling pain Doctors removed her gall bladder and appendix as the initial suspects. It wasn’t until after a laparoscopy that her Endometriosis diagnosis was made. Three surgeries later.

It wasn’t hard to notice one morning that Sam wasn’t herself. During one of our training sessions, every time I looked over I could feel her discomfort; it showed so clearly in her face and stature.

After that training session, I picked her up off the floor and drove her to the hospital.

On the way there she told me the cause was either a twisted ovary or burst cyst – both of which she had suffered before. Hospital staff admitted her immediately, while I stumbled through her paperwork. When I found her she had already been administered 10mgs of morphine, tramadol and oxycodone but was still writhing in pain. As the ultrasound ruled out a ruptured cyst, it was put down to a ‘flare up’ of her endo.

It was hard to get a grip on, that this immaculately presented young woman was battling something so crippling. Sam has three kids & a husband, and at that stage, was in and out of hospital as frequently as every 6-weeks.

That day, I became versed in her history & her struggle. In those moments, when I sat next to my friend in such immense pain, we talked about Endo and it’s impact on her life. I’ve had friends and family battle cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, but I’d never seen someone I love in that amount of pain on any given Thursday.

We talked about the lack of knowledge on this crippling condition and that one in ten Australian Women suffer from Endometriosis, but there is no known cause or treatment. At that stage, Sam had had seven surgeries, had explored numerous experimental hormone therapies, had a cystoscopy, a colonoscopy, had had two mirenas (both of which dislodged), multiple D&C’s, explored physiotherapy, changed her diet, seen multiple specialists, and now because of her extensive surgical resume, has been advised against future surgical intervention due to increased scar tissue created while removing the endometrial cells, compromising her bowel or bladder. Nick either of those organs, and the possibility of living the rest of her life with a colostomy bag or drain is extreme.

I couldn’t understand, that with the amount of pain this woman was in and the lack of knowledge on the subject, how more couldn’t be known. We resolved then and there to take action and start something ourselves that would raise awareness and funds for research, facilities & treatment.

March is Endometriosis Awareness month, so to coincide we will be hostingHigh Teaat out Inner West office.

This is a free event but space is limited, so please RSVP your attendance.

With our amazing supporters at Compton Green & alongside the best researchers in the field, we’re thrilled to have an opportunity to share some knowledge and information on Endometriosis and how far we have to go to find a cure for Sam, and the other 10% of Australian Women who suffer from this debilitating condition.It will be our absolute pleasure share a few stories, have a chat over a glass of wine & enlighten others as to how little is known about this illness and take part in our little piece of helping those who need it. We welcome any donations, supporters, offers of help & spreading the word of our events.

We will be hosting a series of events this year to spread awareness, raise funds and share the stories of so many Endo sufferers.